Jackson Lee pushes for benefits, job training for unemployed

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Houston) is pushing for legislation she
introduced to help “struggling Americans get back on
their feet.”

Jackson Lee’s bills, HR 3773 and HR 3888, are focused on renewing and
keeping unemployment benefits in place and on establishing job training
programs for long-term unemployed.

HR 3773, or the Unemployment Benefits Extension Act, would have the effect
of extending unemployment benefits, which expired on Jan.1, 2014, to Jan 1,
2015.

HR 3888, or the New Chance for a New Start in Life Act, would allow for the
Secretary of Labor to issue grants to create job training programs for the
long-term unemployed so they can acquire new skills and fill positions in
growing work sectors.

The Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, or EUC, expired on Jan. 1.
Jackson Lee’s bill would have extended it until Jan. 1, 2015. It remains to
be seen if it could restore it now.

Jackson Lee spoke passionately about the expiration of unemployment
benefits.

“We cannot stand by while millions of Americans lose crucial unemployment
benefits, while billions of dollars are pulled out of our fragile economy,
and while America is counting on Congress more than ever to provide
meaningful, necessary changes,” Jackson Lee said.

Efforts in the Senate to extend unemployment benefits have failed repeatedly since the beginning of the year.